Discover Your Aesthetic: easy tips

In a previous blog post, "Design Reflections: Whoopi Goldberg's NYC Apartment" (click here to visit), I discussed the importance of a space reflecting one's character and design aesthetic. However, how do you find out what your design aesthetic is? How do you express your interests visually so they can be used as design inspiration? Well, making a collage is a great place to start. They are very informative and fun to make! You can make collage of your favorite furniture, materials, places of travel, or interests. Here are a few examples:


Furniture CollagePhoto courtesy of Eheart Designers

Photo courtesy of Liberty Post


Materials Collage

Here is a materials collage from my sketchbook.

Photo courtesy of Eheart Designers

Photo courtesy of Re+Habit

Photo courtesy of Avowed Virago


Travel Collage

Photo courtesy of The Taverna

Photo courtesy of The Stampers Chef

Photo courtesy of Leah Piken Kolidas


Personality / Interest Collage

Photo courtesy of Ninainvorm


Photo courtesy of Polyvore


Wordle Collage
You can make a list of words that come to your mind and place them in Wordle to make a collage such as these (click here to try):





Related Post:
"Design Reflections: Whoopi Goldberg's NYC Apartment"

Design History 101: chairs then and now

When I go to furniture stores with my friends I often tell them that much of the furniture they see are only replicas of pieces made over 30-50 years ago. They often laugh at me, but I'm about to prove it! If you think that all today's furniture is new...think again. Just take a look at these chairs. You may have seen many of them in local stores, television, and ads.

Then

Armchair 406 by Alvar Alto, 1939

Now

Poang Chair sold at IKEA, 2011



Then
Pony Chair by Eero Aaino, 1973 (one of my favorites)


Now

Photo courtesy of Interior Design Magazine, 2011

Then

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames, 1956


Now
The Eames Lounge Chair is featured on the set of House,...

...Cougar Town,...

...and Frasier.
(As you can see, the Eames Lounge chair is quite popular!)


Then
Series 7 Side Chair by Arne Jacobson, 1955

Now
"Trendy Design Chair" sold at Target, 2011



Then
Nelson Swag Leg Chair by George Nelson, 1958


Now

"Acrylic Rumor Chair" sold at Target, 2011



Then

Swan Chair by Arne Jacobson, 1958


Now
"Acrylic Dining Chair" sold at Target, 2011


Then

Bertoia Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia, 1952


Now
The Bertoia Diamond Chair featured in the Darby Lane House by Deborah Berke & Partners Architects LLC.


Then
Eames Molded Dining Chair by Charles & Ray Eames, 1946

Now
The Eames Molded Dining Chairs featured in the Darby Lane House by Deborah Berke & Partners Architects LLC.



Then
Louis Ghost (aka Ghost Chair) by Philippe Starck, 2002 (also one of my favorites)


Now
"Gamma Arm Chair" sold at Target, 2011
(Now, the Ghost Chair was not made 50 years ago, but it's one of my favorite chairs. I couldn't resist.)

End Note:
Writing this post was a lot of fun. I hope that it helped you to understand that furniture made over 50 years ago is still popular now. In supermarkets today, replicas of famous furniture is seen everywhere and is unrecognized by many.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against buying replicas. The reason that stores such as IKEA exist is to make famous furniture pieces available to the average consumer. If you have a love for modern furniture, but you have a tight budget, check out places such as IKEA, Target, local thrift stores, Craigslist, or Facebook. I am positive that you will find something great!

Decor With Patterns Part 2: creating a focal point

In a previous blog post, Decor With Patterns: easy tips" (click here to visit), I discussed easy ways different patterns can be combined in a space, but what about using patterns to create focal points?

I believe that designing an interior space with patterns is similar to making a painting. Often paintings have a focal point or something that initially catches your eye, followed by small details throughout the canvas. Here are a few examples:

Howardena Pindell. Autobiography: Water/Ancestors/Middle Passage/Family Ghosts, 1988

(The focal point of this painting is a bright face in the center, followed by the body, white space, and surrounding photos or colors.)

Andy Warhol. John Lennon, 1985

(A bright central face is the focal point of this painting as well. In this case, it's John Lennon. Notice how his face slowly appears from the blue background, followed by his hair and right shoulder.)

Vincent Van Go. Cafe Terrace at Night, 1888

(Focal points are not always in the center of a painting. They could be placed on the side like bright cafe shown above. Later your eye is drawn to the starlit sky, windows, and the people walking along the rugged road.)

Chakaia Booker. The Fatality of Hope, 2007

(This is not a painting, but it is a great example of a focal point. Chakaia Booker stands by her sculpture made of old car tires. Her signature bright red fabric stands out from the neutral colored background, making "her" the focal point of the photograph.)

The focal points of these works of art all have one thing in common, contrast. In each piece, there is one element that visually stands out from others. If you have one thing in a space that you would like to be the center of attention then creating contrast is key.

Since patterns draw a lot of attention and are often the first things noticed in a room, they are great tools to use for creating focal points. Here are 3 ways: contrasting color, shape, or by using both. Here are a few examples.

1.

Contrasting Color

Photo courtesy of Elle DECOR
(Large patterns with contrasting colors, such as black and white, always draw a lot of attention and are great for focal points.)


2.
Contrasting Shape Photo courtesy of Karin Blake
(There are a lot of linear forms in this kitchen such as the counter, cabinets, and central island. However the pendent lighting above the island have a circular pattern that create a focal point. These lights help lead you to the kitchen island. Possibly making you excited to prepare a meal.)



Photo courtesy of Interior Design Magazine


Photo courtesy of Robert Rufino
(Diagonal patterns always draw a lot of attention as well. Especially if they are surrounded by striped patterns. In the living area above, the wall painting is the focal point of the space followed by diamond patterned wallpaper to help it stand out even more.)

3.

Contrasting Color & Shape(the most common)

Photo courtesy of CountryLiving.com

(The contrasting pattern of the ottoman above has color and diagonal shapes against a neutral space, making the bed stand out even more.)

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Photo courtesy of Karin Blake

Photo courtesy of InteriorDesignReference.com

(You could also only have a pattern for one thing in a space such as seating and leave the remainder of the room with a blank palette.)

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

(....or you could use patterned flooring and seating, while leaving the walls white....)

Photo courtesy of Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors


End Note: I hope that this post helped you to get a better understanding of how to use patterns. Try some of these ideas at home. If you would like to share a space that you've designed with tips from Design Garage feel free send a picture of the room by email a to cocreateinteriors@gmail.com!

Related Post:
"Decor With Patterns: easy tips"
(click here to visit)